The Tunnel: PBS Debuts British-French Crime Series in June

Below, watch a teaser of the British-French crime drama, The Tunnel, inspired by Danish series, The Bridge. When a body is found in the Channel Tunnel (i.e. “The Chunnel”) between England and France, mystery and intrigue follow. The Tunnel TV show premieres on PBS Sunday, June 18, 2016 at 10:30pm ET. The first season finale of The Tunnel is scheduled for August 21st.

PBS says, “When a French politician’s body is found on the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) and Elise Wassermann (Clémence Poésy) investigate on behalf of their respective countries. A serial killer uses elaborate methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society.” The Tunnel cast also includes: Angel Coulby, James Frain, Joseph Mawle, Keeley Hawes, Tom Bateman, Jeanne Balibar, Thibaut de Montalembert, Jack Lowden, Cedric Vieira, and Sigrid Bouaziz.

ARLINGTON, VA; May 2, 2016 – PBS announced today that the critically acclaimed British crime drama THE TUNNEL will debut in the U.S. on Sunday, June 19 [sic], 2016, at 10:30 p.m. ET on PBS stations (check local listings). The 10-part series airs after the VICIOUS series finale at 8:00 p.m. ET and the premiere of “Endeavour, Season 3” on MASTERPIECE at 9:00 p.m. ET, furthering PBS’ position as the Sunday night destination for drama.

THE TUNNEL is set against the backdrop of Europe in crisis. When a prominent French politician is found dead in the middle of the Channel Tunnel, straddling the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck, played by Stephen Dillane (“Game of Thrones”) and Elise Wassermann, played by Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts I and II) are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries.

The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership. As the serial killer uses ever more elaborate and ingenious methods to highlight the moral bankruptcy of modern society, Karl and Elise are drawn deeper into his increasingly personal agenda.

“PBS is proud to add THE TUNNEL to our summer mystery line-up,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Officer and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “This extraordinary crime drama is a perfect addition for Sunday at 10 p.m. as part of our world-class drama programming.”

Based on the original hit Swedish series from Filmlance International “The Bridge,” and created by Hans Rosenfeldt, Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, THE TUNNEL is produced by Kudos and Shine France Films for Sky Atlantic HD UK and Canal+ France and distributed by Endemol Shine International. Executive producers include Jane Featherstone, Manda Levin, Karen Wilson and Ben Richards alongside Nora Melhli, Director of Drama at Shine France Films and Lars Blomgren, Managing Director of Filmlance. The series is produced by Ruth Kenley-Letts.

Full episodes of THE TUNNEL will be available for viewing on PBS.org for a limited time after each national broadcast. THE TUNNEL will be available on DVD and Blu-ray from PBS Distribution: ShopPBS.org; 800-PLAY-PBS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Are you kidding me? A bomb squad just gives up and walks away? I don’t think so! Pile sand bags all over the area where the bomb is, slide a metal plate over the switch while maintaining pressure, then place weight such as sand bags on it. The rest of the show has been great, but this was a very weak scene.

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August 15, 2016 12:21 am

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MDAY

Agree; the plate would have worked, slid under her foot and pinned down. And they had all the floorboards up too. The final week: do we know if Adam died? Karl asked Elise about five times; did her eyes give it away? Surely her character would have not let her lie? And we see her later (not staying for lunch…).

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August 24, 2016 7:33 pm

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littlephyllisjean

Great show and good acting.

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August 12, 2016 9:27 am

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Stephen Williams

I watched the original Swedish/Danish version “The Bridge” in subtitles a few months ago, on a streaming channel. Then tonight, I watched the first episode of the British/French “The Tunnel” on the PBS streaming channel. So far, the plot is almost identical. So I’d encourage anyone who’s not seen the original, to do so – to me, the characters are more haunting.

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July 31, 2016 1:37 am

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Shelby Kuenning

More haunting in which version?

Thanks.

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August 15, 2016 12:23 am

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Jeff

The Danish series is the best of the three! Not to say the other two aren’t worth watching!

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April 25, 2017 7:22 pm

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Mary

Excellent series and actors. Please renew this series!

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July 21, 2016 2:55 pm

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Marilyn Huneke

Excellent program. Knew it was Swedish or Danish as their films seem to be darker then any other nationalist programming. In the 50’s I enjoyed watching Ingmar Bergman’s films.

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July 4, 2016 11:15 pm

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Kathy

Recorded The Tunnel on Uverse DVR. The listing said 30 minutes. Not sure if that is correct because it ended very abruptly in the middle of a conversation. Did I miss part of the episode?

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June 23, 2016 1:43 pm

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Jeff

It is a full hour show. You did indeed miss part of the episode!

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April 25, 2017 7:24 pm

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Savita

i missed sunday eposide, would it be repeated since not on demand

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June 22, 2016 12:31 pm

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Fran

Absolutely excellent. I cannot wait for the next episode. Thank You PBS!

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June 20, 2016 8:54 pm

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Elaine

Missed last night’s episode, and here in Montreal we cannot access anything from PBS, yet they take our donations.
Very disappointed.

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June 20, 2016 11:52 am

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Jean McClelland

Sounds great as Masterpiece shows usually are. I look forward to The Tunnel and to Endeavor.